COUNCIL MEETING #2

Prior to getting down to the business of acting upon the Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda there were verbal reports from three of the Council's sub committees. Councilwoman Rivers reported on a meeting of the "Public Safety Committee as well as the PMUA liaison committee.
Councilwoman Carter reported briefly on the City and Neighborhood Services Committee, and Councilman Storch on "Economic and Community Development. My comments are clouded by some confusion due to difficulty in hearing some speakers over the sound system.

Rivers' report basically was a recommendation supporting the Safety Directors recommendation for installing the "shot sound detection system" I believe only in the 4th ward. The committee also recommended the installation of surveillance cameras. When queried about the expense of the "shot" detection system a figure of about 1 million dollars was mentioned.

Although the gunshot detection system is a technological wonder, it is reactive and although it may cut down the response time to a shooting it will not deter such incidents. AS a life saving measure taking into account the potential response time of emergency vehicles and transportation time to a treatment facility I fail to see how there can be a positive result.

The downtown cameras also have a negative component which may be overlooked. The will not be actively monitored but only used for a review of a "crime scene". They are not proactive deterrent. Equally important there has been no stating of their resolution. It is factual that most passive surveillance systems have such poor resolution then more often than not identification of perps is very difficult. Again potential value must be weighed against costs.

Carter was still trying to have a functional meeting with the Recreation Superintendent. She had visited the playing fields with members of the Recreation Committee and noted the work they had done as well as problems identified. She has another meeting scheduled with Committee members , the Recreation Superintendent and (?) the mayor for Friday afternoon. In the meantime the Council's Ordinance defining the scope of the Recreation Committee was on hold.

Storch reported on a Planning Board meeting where an amendment for the capital improvement plan s for 2011 was made to include the Children's Room and a Roof Replacement at the Public Library.

Tomorrow I will take up some of Council's actions.